Proportion scaler

ABSTRACT

Two pivotally connected arms of a proportion scaler have on opposite sides reduction scales and enlargement scales with graduations and indicia representing a series of ratios of enlargement decreasing toward the outer ends of the arms and including outermost graduations representing the ratio 1:1, and a series of ratios of reduction including an outermost graduation also representing the ratio 1:1. In order to enlarge, for example, a selected distance at a selected ratio, the graduations whose indicia indicate the selected ratio, are spaced a selected distance by turning the arms relative to each other, and the outermost graduations are then separated by a distance which is greater than the selected distance in proportion with the selected ratio of enlargement.

United States Patent 3,634,942 Nieyper 1 51 Jan. 18, 1972 [541 PROPORTION SCALER 131,142 8/1919 Great Britain ..33/150 [72] Inventor: Raymond Nicyper Birch Hi", Weston, 451,967 10/1949 ltaly 6 Primary Examiner-William D. Martin, Jr. [22] Filed: Mar. 20, 1969 Att0rneyMichael S. Striker 21 A LN 809 9 1 pp 0 i4 0 57 ABSTRACT 52] CL 33/150 33/92 Two pivotally connected arms of a proportion sealer have on [5]] Int-CL" Mam/08 opposite sides reduction scales and enlargement scales with [58} Field (Search Iii 655 i i s 116 1 K graduafims and indicia Presenting a series largement decreasing toward the outer ends of the arms and [56] References Cited including outermost graduations representing the ratio 1:1, and a series of ratiosof reduction including an outermost UNITED STATES PATENTS graduation also representing the ratio 111. In order to enlarge, for example, a selected distance at a selected ratio, the n iggg graduations whose indicia indicate the selected ratio, are 2 560697 7/1951 Jo 33/150 spaced a selected distance by turning the arms relative to each 2772482 12/956 3/1 50 other, and the outermost graduations are then separated by a distance which is greater than the selected distance in propor- FQRHGN PATENTS QR ppu tion with the selected ratio of enlargement.

503,968 3/1920 France ..33/l50 11 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures BI lg 9 x x o I0 I IIO ll [f 115 2c E 7 9 -120 4 ISO ISO 5/ l Id /1 /3 130 8 /3 le 6 I50 ISO-3 /2 2e f 8 I60. '|60 /s Ff lb |7F5/5 2b -2oo- 2003/I 2 zfi /2 IS/I 500 300- n x 50o 5oo- 5/| GO0 600.6/I 700 88 g! 5 -800 4 5382 mfg, /I R We 2/ [h ENLARGEMENT @3 20 la PATENTED m I 8872 3 53 9 2 SHEET -1 [IF 5 INVENTOR.

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PROPORTION SCALEIR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is one object of the invention to provide a proportion scaler for the enlargement or reduction of distances in ac cordance with a ratio of enlargement or reduction selected from a wide range of ratios.

Another object of the invention is to provide a proportion scaler with indicia and graduations indicating ratios of enlargement, and arranged so that the graduations and indicia indicating a selected ratio can be directly placed at the two points the distance of which is to be enlarged.

Another object of the invention is to provide a proportion scaler having enlargement scales in front of its arms, and reduction scales at the rear of its arms.

Another object of the invention is to provide a drawing implement which can be guided along guide abutment faces of a drawing board, and is provided with a guided arm carrying a graduated scale representing enlargement ratios.

With these objects in view, one embodiment of the invention comprises a pair of elongated scale members having inner ends connected by pivot means for angular movement. At least one of the members has on one side an enlargement scale having graduations and indicia representing a series of ratios of enlargement decreasing toward the outer end of the member and including an outermost graduation representing the ratio 1:1 and on the other side a reduction scale including an outermost graduation representing the ratio I: I.

In another embodiment, both elongated members are Iongitudinal enlargement scales having graduations and indicia for representing the same series of outwardly decreasing ratios of enlargement, and including outermost graduations representing the ratio lzl.

When a pair of graduations of the two scales representing the same selected ratio of enlargement are spaced a selected distance, the distance between the outermost graduations of the scales is greater than the selected distance in proportion with the selected ratio of enlargement.

The indicia of the scales preferably represent percentages, and the outermost graduations at the outer ends of the elongated arms of the scaler, represent I percent. It is advantageous to provide a second series of indicia representing improper fractions whose numerator is greater than the denominator, in which event the outermost graduations represent one.

In another embodiment of the invention, the elongated member which is provided with an enlargement scale has a longitudinal guide edge parallel with the scale and a transverse edge perpendicular to the same. The guide edges are adapted to slide along rectilinear abutment faces of a drawing board, for example. The other elongated member is a transparent arm having straight longitudinal edges and being turnable.

about a pivot pin relative to the scale-carrying member while one of the guide edges abuts the abutment face. In such a construction, it is not necessary to provide the transparent arm with a corresponding graduated scale indicating the ratios, since parallel lines can be drawn at selected points of the graduations of the scale to intersect with the longitudinal edge of the transparent arm. A reduction scale with graduations indicating reduction ratios may be provided on the reverse side of the scale-carrying member.

It is also possible to provide a proportional scaler with scales representing ratios of area enlargement or volume enlarge ment which requires different spacing of the graduations. Other scales may indicate special ratios, such as the ratio between the diameter of a circle and a desired number of equal parts of the circumference of the circle, or the ratio between the diameter of a circle and the side of an equal square, or the ratio between the English system of measurement and the metric system.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompany drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front view of a proportion scaler according to one embodiment of the invention and having enlargement scales;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the proportion scaler shown in FIG. 1 and showing reduction scales;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of a second embodiment of the invention constructed as a drawing board implement;

FIG. 4 is a rear view ofthe embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the implement applied for determination of a cosine function;

FIG. 5a is a schematic diagram illustrating the cosine function;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the implement applied for determination of a sine function;

FIG. 6a is a schematic diagram illustrating the sine function;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the implement applied for determination of tangent and cotangent functions within a first range;

FIG. 7a is a schematic diagram illustrating tangent and cotangent functions within the range of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the implement applied for determination of tangent and cotangent functions within a second range;

FIG. 8a is a schematic diagram illustrating the tangent and cotangent functions within the range of FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the implement applied for determination of secant and cosecant functions within a first range;

FIG. 9a is a schematic diagram illustrating the secant and I cosecant functions within the range of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the implement applied for determination of secant and cosecant functions within a second range; and

FIG. 10a is a schematicdiagram illustrating the secant and cosecant functions within the range of FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. 1, the proportion scaler has two elongated scale members or arms 1 and 2 whose inner ends are provided with circular mounting portions la and 2a which have aligned center bores in which a pivot means 3 in the form of an eyelet is located so that arms 1 and 2 can turn relative to each other about the axis of pivot means 3.

Arms 1 and 2 have confronting longitudinal edges lb and 2b which are positioned so that imaginary lines extending the same pass through the axis of pivot means 3.

The longitudinal edges lb and 2b are provided with graduations 10 and 2c of a first scale, and with graduations Id and 2d of a second scale. Graduations 1c and 2c are provided with indicia 1e and 2e, and graduations Id and 2d are provided with indicia If and 2f.

Indicia 1e and 22 represents percentages in a ratio decreasing toward the outer ends of arms I and 2. The outermost graduations lg and 2g are provided with arrow heads and represent the ratio of percent, and the innermost indicia lb and 2h represent the ratio of 1,000 percent.

The indices If are improper fractions, whose ratio decreases toward the outer ends, the innermost indicia Ii and 2i representing the ratio of I02], while the end of the respective scale is also indicated by the outermost graduations lg and 2g which represent the ratio lzl.

Assuming that it is desired to enlarge the distance in accordance with a selected ratio of 140 percent, for example, the graduations 1c and 20 whose indicia indicate the enlargement ratio of 140 percent, are placed at the ends ofa line B at the distance which is to be enlarged 140 percent. The line B between graduations 1g and 2g has a length which is greater than the distance B in proportion with the selected ratio of 140 percent.

Due to the fact that the indicia representing the desired enlargement ratio is always placed at two points whose distance is to be enlarged, and since the enlarged distance is always found between the outermost graduations 1g and 2g, the use of the proportion scaler is extremely easy and free of errors. To adapt the scaler to different distances B which are to be enlarged, arms 1 and 2 are turned relative to each other about the axis of pivot means 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rear faces of arms 1 and 2 are provided with reduction scales. The arm 1 has a first scale consisting of graduations 1k and indicia 1m representing percentages, and a second scale consisting of graduations 1n and indicia 1p representing fractions. Arm 2 has a first scale consisting of graduations 2k and indicia 2m representing percentages, and a second scale consisting of graduations 2n and indicia 2p representing fractions. Graduations 1r and Zr at the ends of the arms are provided with arrows and represent 100 percent or the ratio 1:1.

In order to reduce a distance A 60 percent, or in a ratio of 3:5, the graduations 1r and Zr are placed at the end of line A by turning arms 1 and 2 about pivot 3, whereupon the line A connecting the graduations indicated 60 percent or 3/5 has a length of 60 percent of the distance between graduations Jr and Zr.

Mounting portions 2a of arm 2 is provided with a cutout 4, and a pointer 4a, while mounting portion la has a circular protractor scale 5 provided with indicia 5a representing degrees so that arms 1 and 2 can be spaced a desired angle, or the angle defined by the arms can be ascertained.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, one elongated scale member or arm 11 is provided with two enlargement scales, as described with reference to arm 1 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. One scale has graduations 11c with indicia lle representing percentages, and the other scale has graduation 11d with indicia 11f representing improper fractions. The graduation Hg is provided with an arrow head, and represents the ratio 100 percent, or 1:1.

A second member 12 is connected by pivot means in the form of an eyelet 13 to arm 11 for angular movement. Member 12 has parallel longitudinal edges 12a and 12b, and consists of a thin transparent plate. Member 12 is longer than member 11 so that its outer end is still located opposite graduation 11g when the members 11 and 12 define an angle ofat least 45.

While member 12 has a substantially circular mounting portion 120, member 11 has a transversely projecting abutment 14 which also serves as a mounting portion for member 12. Member 11 has a longitudinal outer guide edge 15, and abutment 14 has a transverse guide edge 16 extending at right angles to the inner edge 15a of member 11 which is parallel to the outer edge 15 and passes through the axis defined by pivot 13 so that the transverse guide edge 16 extends also at right angles to the row of graduations 1 1c and lldon the inner edge 15a.

FIG. 3 shows the instrument in a position in which the longitudinal straight guide edge 15 of member is in sliding contact with a rectilinear abutment face 20 of a drawing board or T- square, not shown. In the position of FIG. 4, the transverse straight guide edge 16 is in sliding contact with the rectilinear abutment face 20 so that member 11 is vertical, and not horizontal as in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 shows the scaler in a reversed position, but it will be understood that guide edge 16 can be placed in contact with abutment face 20 without reversing the scaler.

As shown in FIG. 4, the reverse side of member 11 is provided with two reduction scales. The first scale has graduations 11k and indicia 11m representing percentages, and the second scale has graduations lln and indicia 11p representing fractions. Graduations 11k are preferably provided with small arrowheads, as are graduations 111' shown in FIG. 3. A graduation llr at the outer ends of the scales is provided with a larger arrowhead and represents the ratio 1:1 or 100 percent.

In order to enlarge vertical distances between the inner edges 15a and 12a, the scaler in the position of FIG. 3 is moved along the straight abutment face 20 until the graduation 11a associated with the ratio and indicia 5:3 coincides with a vertical line B. Member 12 is turned until its inner edge 12a crosses line a selected point. By drawing a vertical line from graduation 11g to the inner edge 12a of member 12, a distance B is found which is larger than the distance B in accordance with the selected ratio of enlargement.

A corresponding operation can be carried out by placing the transverse guide edge 16 into sliding contact with abutment face 20, and drawing horizontal lines between the con fronting edges 15a and 12a of members 11 and 12. Due to the fact that the direction of the lines B and B is given, it is not necessary to provide graduations on the inner edge 12a of member 12, as in the embodiment ofFIGS. l and 2.

When a distance A is to be reduced in accordance with a predetermined ratio, the scaler is reversed, and either the longitudinal guide edge 15 of member 11, or the transverse guide edge 16 of abutment 14 of member 11 is placed in sliding contact with the abutment face 20, the latter condition being shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the scaler is moved to a position in which a point a is indicated by the graduation llr, a horizontal line A through point a will end at a point a in which the inner edge 12a of member 12 is located. Assuming that the reduction ratio is selected to be 60 percent, a horizontal line drawn at the graduation indicated by indicias representing 60 percent and 3:5, and ending at the inner edge 12a, will have a length A which is the distance A reduced in the ratio 60 percent or 3:5.

The implement can be advantageously applied for determining trigonometric functions. FIG. 5a shows the cosine graphically as the base of a right-angled triangle whose hypotenuse is equal to l. The reduction scale is used. the edges of the arms 1 and 2 are applied to an angle, and the value of the cosine can be read on the lower arm when a perpendicular line is drawn on the lower arm from indicia 100 on the upper arm. By reference to a trigonometric table, the degrees and minutes of the angle can be accurately determined.

FIG. 6a illustrates graphically the length of a sine function. and FIG. 6 shows how the sine of an angle of 30 can be determined by using the reduction scale of the implement.

FIG. 7a graphically illustrates tangent functions for angles less than 45, and four cotangent functions for angles greater than 45. FIG. 7 shows how the arms of the implement are placed at a right angle for finding the tangent of 30 on the reduction scale of the respective opposite arm, and a cotangent of 60 on the respective other arm. A line is drawn at 30 from the indicia 100 ofthe lower arm.

FIG. 8a graphically shows tangent functions for angles greater than 45, and cotangent functions for angles less than 45. FIG. 8 shows that for this range of angles, the enlargement scales are used. The arms of the implement are placed at an angle of and a line is drawn at 30 to the left arm from the indicia x to intersect the scale on the other arm.

FIG. 9a graphically shows the secant function for angles greater than 45, and cosecant functions for angles smaller than 45. FIG. 7 shows that the enlargement scales are used, and that the edges of the arms of the implement are placed on the sides of the angle. A line is drawn from indicia x of arm 1 perpendicular to the edge of arm 2.

HO. a graphically shows the secant function for angles smaller than 45, and the cosecant function for angles greater than 45. The enlargement scales are again used, and by drawing a line perpendicular to the edge of arm 2 from indicia x of arm 1, the secant and cosecant functions of the angles and 70 can be determined permitting, as in the other examples, to find the value of the angles from trigonometric tables.

The graduations and scales illustrated in the drawing are provided for linear enlargement and reduction. The scales can be modified to indicate area enlargement and reduction, and the ratio between two areas or between two volumes would be indicated by a corresponding graduation and indicia.

it will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful applica tion in other types of dividers, scalers, or drawing implements differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a proportion scaler for enlarging and reducing distances in accordance with selected ratios, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. Proportion scaler comprising pivot means; and a pair of elongated scale members having inner ends connected by said pivot means for angular movement and outer ends remote from said pivot means, said pair of elongated scale members having on one side thereof a longitudinal enlargement scale and on the opposite side thereof a longitudinal reduction scale, each of said scales having indicia representing the ratio 1:1 in the region of said outer ends of said elongated scale members. and said pair of elongated scale members having on said one side thereof graduations representing a series of ratios of enlargement increasing towards said inner ends of said elongated scale members and having on said opposite side thereof graduations representing a series of ratios of reduction decreasing towards said inner ends of said elongated scale members, where said elongated scale members are pivoted to each other by said pivot means.

2. Proportion scaler as claimed in claim 1 wherein both said elongated scale members have on said one side longitudinal enlargement scales having graduations and indicia for representing the same series of outwardly decreasing ratios of enlargement so that when a pair of graduations of said scales representing the same selected ratio of enlargement are spaced a selected distance in one direction, the distance between the outermost graduations of said scales is greater than the selected distance is proportion with the selected ratio of enlargement.

3. Proportion scaler as claimed in claim 2 wherein both said elongated scale members have on said other side thereof longitudinal reduction scales, each reduction scale having graduations and indicia representing corresponding series of outwardly increasing reduction ratios and including outermost graduations representing the ratio 1:1.

4. Proportion scaler as claimed in claim 1 wherein said graduations on both of said pair of scale members are substantially uniformly spaced and represent percentages.

5. Proportion scaler as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of said elongated scale members has at least one guide edge adapted to slide along a rectilinear abutment face; and wherein the other elongated scale member is an at least partly transparent elongated arm having a straight edge confronting said one elongated scale member.

6. Proportion scaler as claimed in claim 1 wherein said graduations represent a series of linear ratios, or area ratios, or volume ratios.

7. Proportion scaler as claimed in claim 1, wherein said graduations of said enlargement scale are substantially uniformly spaced and include intermediate graduations, located between graduations representing integers, said intermediate gradua'ti ons representing improper fractions, and including substantially uniformly spaced intermediate graduations located between the graduations correlated with the ratios 2:] and 1:1.

8. Proportion scaler comprising pivot means, and a pair of elongated members having inner ends connected by said pivot means for angular movement and outer ends remote from said pivot means, at least one of said elongated members having in front a longitudinal enlargement scale having graduations and indicia representing a series of ratios of enlargement decreasing toward the outer end of said one elongated member and including an outermost graduation at said outer end representing the ratio 111 so that when a graduation representing a selected ratio of enlargement is spaced a selected distance in one direction from a corresponding point on the other elongated member, the distance from said outermost graduation to said other elongated member parallel to said one direction is greater than said selected distance in proportion with said selected ratio of enlargement, said one elongated member having a longitudinal first outer guide edge parallel with said scale, and an arm with a transverse second outer guide edge perpendicular to said longitudinal first guide edge, each of said guide edges being adapted to slide along at least one rectilinear abutment face, said other elongated member being turnable about said pivot means relative to said one elongated member and to said am so that parallel lines perpendicular said second guide edge define distances between said two elongated members enlarged at a ratio represented by the graduation at which one of said lines is located.

9. Proportion scaler as claimed in claim 8, wherein said other elongated member is an at least partly transparent arm having a straight longitudinal edge confronting said one elongated member and being turnable about said pivot means relative to said one elongated member while one of said guide edges abuts said abutment face.

10. Proportion scaler as claimed in claim 9 wherein said one elongated member has in the rear a longitudinal reduction scale having graduations and indicia representing a series of outwardly increasing reduction ratios and including an outermost graduation at said outer end representing the ratio lzl 1]. Proportion scaler as claimed in claim 8 wherein both said elongated members have longitudinal enlargement scales in front, and longitudinal reduction scales in the rear, each reduction scale having graduations and indicia representing corresponding series of outwardly increasing reduction ratios and including outermost graduations representing the ratio 1:1; and wherein said graduations and indicia of said enlargement and reduction scales represent trigonometric functions of an angle. 

1. Proportion scaler comprising pivot means; and a pair of elongated scale members having inner ends connected by said pivot means for angular movement and outer ends remote from said pivot means, said pair of elongated scale members having on one side thereof a longitudinal enlargement scale and on the opposite side thereof a longitudinal reduction scale, each of said scales having indicia representing the ratio 1:1 in the region of said outer ends of said elongated scale members, and said pair of elongated scale members having on said one side thereof gRaduations representing a series of ratios of enlargement increasing towards said inner ends of said elongated scale members and having on said opposite side thereof graduations representing a series of ratios of reduction decreasing towards said inner ends of said elongated scale members, where said elongated scale members are pivoted to each other by said pivot means.
 2. Proportion scaler as claimed in claim 1 wherein both said elongated scale members have on said one side longitudinal enlargement scales having graduations and indicia for representing the same series of outwardly decreasing ratios of enlargement so that when a pair of graduations of said scales representing the same selected ratio of enlargement are spaced a selected distance in one direction, the distance between the outermost graduations of said scales is greater than the selected distance is proportion with the selected ratio of enlargement.
 3. Proportion scaler as claimed in claim 2 wherein both said elongated scale members have on said other side thereof longitudinal reduction scales, each reduction scale having graduations and indicia representing corresponding series of outwardly increasing reduction ratios and including outermost graduations representing the ratio 1:1.
 4. Proportion scaler as claimed in claim 1 wherein said graduations on both of said pair of scale members are substantially uniformly spaced and represent percentages.
 5. Proportion scaler as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of said elongated scale members has at least one guide edge adapted to slide along a rectilinear abutment face; and wherein the other elongated scale member is an at least partly transparent elongated arm having a straight edge confronting said one elongated scale member.
 6. Proportion scaler as claimed in claim 1 wherein said graduations represent a series of linear ratios, or area ratios, or volume ratios.
 7. Proportion scaler as claimed in claim 1, wherein said graduations of said enlargement scale are substantially uniformly spaced and include intermediate graduations, located between graduations representing integers, said intermediate graduations representing improper fractions, and including substantially uniformly spaced intermediate graduations located between the graduations correlated with the ratios 2:1 and 1:1.
 8. Proportion scaler comprising pivot means, and a pair of elongated members having inner ends connected by said pivot means for angular movement and outer ends remote from said pivot means, at least one of said elongated members having in front a longitudinal enlargement scale having graduations and indicia representing a series of ratios of enlargement decreasing toward the outer end of said one elongated member and including an outermost graduation at said outer end representing the ratio 1:1 so that when a graduation representing a selected ratio of enlargement is spaced a selected distance in one direction from a corresponding point on the other elongated member, the distance from said outermost graduation to said other elongated member parallel to said one direction is greater than said selected distance in proportion with said selected ratio of enlargement, said one elongated member having a longitudinal first outer guide edge parallel with said scale, and an arm with a transverse second outer guide edge perpendicular to said longitudinal first guide edge, each of said guide edges being adapted to slide along at least one rectilinear abutment face, said other elongated member being turnable about said pivot means relative to said one elongated member and to said arm so that parallel lines perpendicular said second guide edge define distances between said two elongated members enlarged at a ratio represented by the graduation at which one of said lines is located.
 9. Proportion scaler as claimed in claim 8, wherein said other elongated member is an at least partly transparent arm having a straight longitudinal edge confronting Said one elongated member and being turnable about said pivot means relative to said one elongated member while one of said guide edges abuts said abutment face.
 10. Proportion scaler as claimed in claim 9 wherein said one elongated member has in the rear a longitudinal reduction scale having graduations and indicia representing a series of outwardly increasing reduction ratios and including an outermost graduation at said outer end representing the ratio 1:1.
 11. Proportion scaler as claimed in claim 8 wherein both said elongated members have longitudinal enlargement scales in front, and longitudinal reduction scales in the rear, each reduction scale having graduations and indicia representing corresponding series of outwardly increasing reduction ratios and including outermost graduations representing the ratio 1:1; and wherein said graduations and indicia of said enlargement and reduction scales represent trigonometric functions of an angle. 